From March to October RhondaK and I were business partners in creating hand painted, tiki bar style signs. My job was to cut the boards, drill holes for rope, paint backgrounds and graphics, and then seal, pack, and ship the orders to around 15 stores in seven states. The agreement was that I would be paid 50% of the total revenue. Along the way I documented a majority of the work I did by taking photos and videos and posted them on Facebook, PTCH, YouTube, and Instagram. While most of it was done under her direction, I did contribute original work as well and we sold thousands of dollars of merchandise.
For the most part, I let my portion of the money be kept in her account to pay the bills (rent, food, phone, etc...), but in August, Rhonda began complaining about money so I asked for a detailed listing of bills as well as a detailed accounting of the money I earned for her. She refused to provide it. On September 16, I told her to keep my portion of a large check to pay the bills. Within a week she began publicly telling people she was in danger and posting inflammatory videos and statements on various social networks.
I asked her to remove the posts because they were not true. She refused. I filed for a restraining order to prevent further slander and when she found out, she told her family and her clients that she was in danger. She told people that she had a police report that showed domestic violence, but when I pulled the report she was quoting, the police stated "No [domestic violence] crime had been committed." Within 2 days, she had my phone shut off. I have asked repeatedly to be refunded the money I gave her to that bill and she refuses.
This is not the first time she has done this. Several years ago she again claimed that a gentleman business partner had abused her. After which she took all of his business and forced him to another city, not unlike what she has done to me. That man's story is now very sad.
I have asked many times for an accounting of my earnings - she refuses. I have asked for a refund - she is refusing. I tallied up all the photos and videos and of the art I made for her, my portion should have been $5000, of which I only saw $400.
I am sending this to the Venice Chamber of Commerce, The Bradenton Beach Chamber of Commerce, The Mayors of Both Cities, and I want to forward this to the District Attorney of Sarasota County, as well as all the stores that carried my work.
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